Uba Sani must prioritise education, rural development

Let me first and foremost congratulate the Kaduna State governor-elect, Malam Uba Sani, over his victory in the March 18 gubernatorial election.

On May 29, like other governors-elect across the country, he will take an oath of office as Kaduna State governor. Malam Uba Sani will find a big shoe to fill. His predecessor, Malam Nasiru Elrufai,who spent eight years in power has been in both bad and good news within the period under review.

Some of his policies such as retrenchment or rightsizing of government employees have generated mixed feelings in the state.

While Elrufai’s administration has been able to construct many township roads in Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan under its urban renewal programme, it is believed rural communities under his watch have suffered great neglect.

With his victory in the election, the governor-elect should strive to keep the promises he made while seeking the office.

The reforms carried out in primary education should be urgently reviewed. Many schools are still battling with inadequate teachers. The teachers who were recruited to replace the sacked ones are grossly inadequate. This has seriously affected the development of education in the state. The governor-elect should scale up massive recruitment of teachers to augment or bridge the shortage.

There is no gainsaying the fact that our major cities have worn good looks through the urban renewal projects implemented by Governor El-rufai’s administration. The governor elect should this time around prioritise development in the rural areas. The presence of government in rural areas is not much felt or is very minimal. The new government should ensure a paradigm shift from urban to rural renewal projects. This gesture will open up our rural communities and alleviate poverty among the rural dwellers.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna State